What is corneal refractive therapy

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Inhaltsverzeichnis Show

1. It’s Safe and Non-Invasive
2. It Can Slow Your Child’s Myopia Progression
3. It’s Reversible
Want to Learn More? Read on!
CRT Q&A:

Corneal Refractive Therapy – A Non-Surgical Way to Correct your Vision!

“What is CRT?”
Corneal Refractive Therapy uses specially designed vision retainers to gently and gradually reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea) to eliminate or reduce nearsightedness (myopia) or astigmatism. The principle is similar to the use of a dental retainer used by an orthodontist to realign crooked teeth. The vision retainers are similar to contact lenses and are only worn at night while sleeping. They are then removed upon awakening to provide clear vision without using glasses or contact lenses! The retainers are comfortable and very easy to care for.

“Why think about CRT? Why not just wear eyeglasses or contact lenses?”
The main purpose of CRT is to be free from both contact lenses and eyeglasses during waking hours. While this is ideal for sports enthusiasts or those who work in dusty or dirty environments, for others CRT offers the appeal of being free from corrective lenses during the day. CRT also offers relief from the problems sometimes associated with full time contact lens wear like drying and things getting on or under the lenses.

“Does CRT have any advantages over Laser Surgery?”
There are several. CRT is less than half the cost of Laser Vision Correction Surgery. It does not involve any post-operative pain. Also, the hazy post-operative vision that can be associated with laser surgery does not occur with CRT. Both eyes can easily be done at the same time with CRT. Also, prescription changes are easy to deal with using CRT. There are no strong steroid or antibiotic drugs needed with CRT as there are during the post-operative period for laser surgery. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, CRT is reversible. Laser surgery is not.

“Is everyone suitable for CRT and can any doctor perform it?”
The answer to both questions is no. It does not work on every patient and needs to be performed in a very exact and meticulous manner. We have received special training and have the necessary diagnostic equipment, computer software and expertise to perform CRT.

The procedure works best on mild to moderate amounts of nearsightedness or astigmatism. More severe cases can have their vision improved, but will still need some vision correction. The procedure also does not work well on certain shaped corneas. Also, there are several unmeasurable factors for each patient – most notably the cornea’s rigidity. Thus the speed of CRT varies with each patient. Generally, but not always, less nearsighted patients respond faster than more nearsighted ones. There are no age barriers for CRT. It is safe for children and adults and is an excellent alternative for children who are just first becoming nearsighted as studies have shown that CRT may prevent any further nearsightedness from occurring! Also, while success rates are very high, success cannot be guaranteed due to factors like the inability to wear the vision retainer for physiological reasons or other systemic health problems that may reduce wearing time.

“What does the CRT procedure involve?”
A comprehensive eye health examination is performed first. Then, a corneal topographer is used to obtain a very precise computerized “map” of the cornea’s shape. This information is placed into the CRT computer software and a diagnostic retainer is fit in the office. If at that time it is determined that you are a good candidate for CRT, your own vision retainers will be ordered. It takes about one week for the retainers to be made and delivered.

When you pick up your retainers, you will be instructed on how to use and care for them. The maintenance is very easy and involves only one bottle of solution. If the retainers fit properly, you may wear them that first night. Your should see well with the retainers on.

We will see the first morning after you wear your retainers. You should come to the office wearing your vision retainers. We will remove them for you. Of course, should you experience any problems while at home with your retainers, simply remove them.

Most of the visual changes occur rapidly over the first few days. As the cornea changes shape and vision improves, we will refit and reorder successive vision retainers (if needed). During this interim period we will supply you with (no-charge) soft disposable contact lenses to be worn during the day. These are usually only needed for the first few days. For most patients, only one pair of retainers is needed.

The majority of patients achieve excellent vision in only a few days – many after only one night of wear. Even after you are seeing well, we will continue to see you a while longer to ensure your cornea is adapting to the retainers. Most patients are done with their follow up care in about one month although some may take more or less time. When the treatment is completed, the last retainer used will be worn on a nightly basis. Some patients are able to use the retainers every other night.

“How much does CRT cost?”
Depending on which of three payment plan you choose, the total fee for the entire CRT program is between $2000 and $3600. This includes all of the professional visits, retainer lenses needed to achieve optimal vision, and any needed interim soft disposable contact lenses. Lost, broken or spare retainers are available at a cost of $150 for each eye.

“What are the disadvantages of CRT?”
You must be prepared to allow 3 – 5 visits over a one month period. Should you stop wearing your retainers, your vision will slowly return to its original state. (Note: A new procedure called ‘Corneoplasty’ is currently being studied. This procedure would make the effects of CRT permanent!) While the degree of success is very high, it cannot be guaranteed. However, when the corneal topography and computer software indicate a patient will be successful, it is rare that patients don’t do well with CRT. Rates and amount of improvement vary from one person to the next.

“I’ve never heard of CRT. Is it new?”
Attempts to re-shape the cornea have been tried since contact lenses were first fit. The process used to be called orthokeratology. This process would often take over a year to complete and the results were not nearly as favorable as CRT. For this reason, many doctors and patients elected not to participate in orthokeratology. With the newer diagnostic technology used to measure the corneal shape and the newer materials being used for vision retainers, CRT is now a viable alternative for many nearsighted or astigmatism patients.

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If you have a child with myopia (nearsightedness), here are 3 facts about corneal refractive therapy (CRT) you should know.

1. It’s Safe and Non-Invasive

Corneal refractive therapy, also known as orthokeratology, is the reshaping of the cornea — the front surface of the eye — using rigid gas permeable contact lenses. The lenses are worn overnight while your child sleeps, and are then removed in the morning.

The contact lenses gently and safely reshape the eye’s surface so that your child will have clear vision all day long without the need for daytime eyewear. CRT lenses should be worn nightly for best results.

2. It Can Slow Your Child’s Myopia Progression

Many parents are pleased to learn that corneal refractive therapy is FDA approved and has been clinically proven to slow a child’s myopia progression in most cases. Many parents like the idea of halting or slowing down myopia, since rapidly progressing or high levels of myopia during childhood increase the risk of developing serious eye diseases in the future.

That’s right — CRT can help preserve your child’s gift of sight for the long term.

3. It’s Reversible

Since all changes to the cornea are temporary, discontinuing CRT will result in the cornea returning to its natural shape. This means that children and teens who wear CRT lenses can still be candidates for vision correction surgery when they become of age.

For more information or to schedule your child’s myopia control consultation, call Lakeline Vision Source today!

At Lakeline Vision Source, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 512-918-3937 or book an appointment online to see one of our Cedar Park eye doctors.

Want to Learn More? Read on!

Holly discusses Corneal Refractive Therapy

Corneal molding, or CRT, is a method used to correct or slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) by wearing special hard contact lenses that reshape your eyes overnight, allowing you to be free of glasses or contact lenses during day. While success rates for CRT are generally higher for more mild vision prescriptions, stronger prescriptions can also be corrected. According to FDA trials conducted on CRT lenses, more than 65% of CRT patients were provided with 20/20 visual acuity. A whopping number of more than 90% of CRT patients achieved 20/40 vision or better (this is the legal requirement for driving without vision correction in most states).

The process is quite simple. The CRT molds are inserted at bedtime and worn as you sleep. Throughout the night, the lenses gently reshape your cornea so that your vision is clear the following morning. The correction is temporary, so in order to maintain sharp visual acuity on a daily basis, you need to wear the CRT reshaping lenses every night.

CRT is very suitable for nearsighted people who are not appropriate candidates for vision correction surgery, such as children. Individuals of all ages with healthy eyes can try CRT. People who require vision correction and engage regularly in sports or work in extremely dusty, dirty environments will also appreciate the convenience of CRT.

CRT Q&A:

What is corneal refractive therapy?

It is a way for us to change a patient’s prescription without actually performing surgery to the eye. The patient wears a hard, breathable contact lens at night that reshapes the surface of the eye while he or she sleeps. This manipulates the prescription and allows the patient to see clearly during the day without the help of contact lenses or glasses.

Who is a candidate for CRT?

Any nearsighted patient with healthy eyes is a possible candidate for CRT.

Can children wear them?

While CRT works for adults, it was specifically designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children. If we begin CRT on a child at the first signs of nearsightedness, we can slow down or possibly even stop the negative changes to their vision over time.

Is it painful?

When you first begin wearing CRT molds, you will have lens awareness until you get used to having hard contact lenses in your eyes. This slight discomfort will quickly subside and you will have no trouble wearing these molds while you sleep.

Are they difficult to put in and remove?

Inserting CRT molds is slightly different from regular contact lenses because they are designed to suction to the center of the eye. Once you learn the technique, it is very simple. You must use a special plunger to remove the molds from your eyes in the morning, which is also a very easy process.

How long does it take to correct my vision?

This depends on your specific prescription. The higher the prescription, the longer it will take to fully correct your vision. Low prescriptions can see full correction within the first night of wearing the molds. For higher prescriptions, it can take longer to stabilize the changes to the surface of the eye and optimize the vision.

Is it permanent?

No. You must continue to wear the molds to ensure optimal vision. If the molds aren’t continuously worn, your cornea will gradually return to its original shape.

What happens to my vision if I stop wearing them?

You will go through a similar transition period to when you began wearing molds as your vision gradually changes back to your original prescription. It can take a week or so for your vision to return to a point where you can comfortably wear your glasses or regular contact lenses again.

Can I see when I’m wearing the molds?

They do function just like regular contact lenses. While they are meant to be worn while you sleep, you can easily put them in before bedtime and then continue to see well as you complete your nightly routine.

How much do they cost compared to regular contact lenses?

CRT molds are very similar in price to daily contact lenses. They are slightly higher than a monthly or biweekly contact lens, but they are extremely affordable.

Will my insurance cover them?

Your insurance treats them just like regular contact lenses. So if you have vision benefits that contribute toward contact lenses, these benefits will also apply to CRT molds.

How often do I have to purchase new ones?

This will vary from patient to patient. It is dependent on how they are cared for and how the molds hold up over time. Typically they are replaced once a year, but there are times that they can be worn for over a year.